Windows 10: Is changing hard drive on Windows 10 upgrade from Windows 7 possible?

Discus and support Is changing hard drive on Windows 10 upgrade from Windows 7 possible? in Windows 10 Installation and Upgrade to solve the problem; My desktop is slow, and I want to change out the system drive to SSD. Is this possible? I do not have a Windows key as it was merely a free upgrade.... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Installation and Upgrade' started by FUState, Mar 20, 2018.

  1. FUSTATE
    FUState Win User

    Is changing hard drive on Windows 10 upgrade from Windows 7 possible?


    My desktop is slow, and I want to change out the system drive to SSD.

    Is this possible? I do not have a Windows key as it was merely a free upgrade.

    Can I just clone the existing drive onto an SSD and swap? Or will windows deny me this upgrade?

    :)
     
    FUState, Mar 20, 2018
    #1
  2. JIMRATTER
    JimRatter Win User

    PC reporting hard disc problem after upgrade from windows 7 to 10

    After upgrading from windows 7 to 10 my pc is continually reporting hard drive problems. If I change the hard drive will I need to re-install windows 7 and then upgrade again? With a new hard drive, will windows think it is a different pc and require
    me to pay again for windows?
     
    JimRatter, Mar 20, 2018
    #2
  3. PV131085
    Pv131085 Win User
    Upgraded Windows 10 to new hard drive

    Hi I had upgraded to Windows 10 from Windows 7. But now I need to change my hard drive. Will I be able to install Windows 10 on the new hard drive and will the Windows activation servers activate the OS?
     
    Pv131085, Mar 20, 2018
    #3
  4. BREE
    Bree New Member

    Is changing hard drive on Windows 10 upgrade from Windows 7 possible?

    Yes @FUState. The free upgrade stored a digital licence on Microsoft's activation servers which is tied to the unique hardware ID of the PC.

    Microsoft have explicitly stated that the HDD is not part of this hardware ID. You could even put an SDD in and do a clean install of the same edition (Home or Pro), it will still activate automatically from the digital licence.

    Changing the motherboard or the processor would cause problems, but the disk is OK to swap out.
     
    Bree, Mar 20, 2018
    #4
  5. HELMUT
    Helmut Win User
    No problem, an HDD or SSD replacement is an allowed hardware change. MS will have your Hardware IDed linked to your license.

    I always re-install Windows on a new drive as a matter of principle as cloning just transfers any problems to a new drive.
     
    Helmut, Mar 20, 2018
    #5
  6. FUSTATE
    FUState Win User
    Thanks guys.

    I'll definitely do a clean install, as this computer has problems already. The only reason I thought of cloning was in case that was the only way to do it.
     
    FUState, Mar 20, 2018
    #6
  7. BREE
    Bree New Member
    Make sure you install the same edition as before, Home or Pro. The digital licence is only valid for one edition.

    When asked for a key, click the 'I don't have one' link. Activation will happen automatically as soon as it can contact the activation servers.


    Is changing hard drive on Windows 10 upgrade from Windows 7 possible? [​IMG]


    TenForums tutorial: Clean Install Windows 10
     
    Bree, Apr 4, 2018
    #7
Thema:

Is changing hard drive on Windows 10 upgrade from Windows 7 possible?

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